Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 38th Match Group B ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be remembered forever by cricket fans in Colombo and Harare. On 19 February 2026 at the R. Premadasa Stadium, the 35,000-strong crowd came expecting a Sri Lankan party. Instead, they witnessed pure magic from the underdogs. Zimbabwe chased down 179 with 3 balls to spare, winning by 6 wickets and staying unbeaten in the entire group stage.
Yes, you read that right. The same Zimbabwe team that many wrote off before the tournament just beat co-hosts Sri Lanka at their home fortress. Sikandar Raza smashed 45 off just 26 balls with 4 sixes, while Brian Bennett stayed not out on 63 off 48 to guide the chase. This was no fluke – this was Zimbabwe writing a new chapter in T20 World Cup history.
Brief Scores
Sri Lanka 178/7 (20 overs) – Pathum Nissanka 62 (41), Pavan Rathnayake 44 (25)
Zimbabwe 182/4 (19.3 overs) – Brian Bennett 63* (48), Sikandar Raza 45 (26)
Result: Zimbabwe won by 6 wickets
Player of the Match: Sikandar Raza
Sri Lankan fans, you know that sinking feeling when the home crowd goes silent. Zimbabwe supporters, this is why we fall in love with cricket – the ultimate underdog story!
In this massive 6,800-word guide (written especially for you on IPL Star blog), we break down everything:
- Full pre-match build-up and expectations
- Toss, pitch report and captain strategies
- Sri Lanka batting – every over, every key ball
- Zimbabwe bowling masterclass
- Zimbabwe chase – ball-by-ball drama
- 10 game-changing moments
- Player ratings and stats deep dive
- Tactical lessons for Super Eights
- Historical records and fan emotions
- What this means for both teams next
Grab your coffee, sit back, and relive every moment. Let’s dive in.
Pre-Match Buzz: How Both Teams Reached This Historic Clash at Premadasa
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 38th Match Group B ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 felt like a dead rubber on paper – both teams had already qualified for the Super Eights. But in cricket, nothing is ever dead when pride and home fans are involved.
Sri Lanka had been almost perfect in Group B. They won most matches comfortably, thanks to Pathum Nissanka’s purple patch and a strong spin attack. At home, they rested star pacer Dushmantha Chameera to keep him fresh for the bigger battles ahead. Captain Dasun Shanaka wanted one last tune-up on the slow Colombo tracks before facing tougher sides.
Zimbabwe? They were the fairy-tale team of the tournament. After scraping through qualifiers, they stunned Australia earlier and arrived in Colombo with zero pressure. Sikandar Raza kept saying, “We are here to win hearts and earn respect.” The whole nation back home in Harare was glued to screens, dreaming of an unbeaten group stage.
Head-to-head at R. Premadasa, Sri Lanka had dominated Zimbabwe in past T20Is, but this Zimbabwe side looked different – fearless and flexible. Fans in Colombo expected 170+ and a comfortable chase. Zimbabwe fans prayed for a fighting performance.
The weather was perfect – warm afternoon turning cooler under lights. The stadium was packed with Sri Lankan flags, but a small but loud Zimbabwe contingent in yellow made their presence felt. Electric atmosphere? Absolutely.
As the teams walked out, you could feel the tension. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 38th Match Group B ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 was about to become special.
Toss Verdict, Team News & R. Premadasa Pitch Report – T20 World Cup 2026
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. Dasun Shanaka said the surface looked good for batting early and they wanted to set a big total.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza smiled at the toss loss: “If we play good cricket, the toss doesn’t matter.” He later revealed he told his boys that finger spinners might struggle but wrist spinners would get turn.
R. Premadasa Pitch Report T20 WC 2026
- Slow and grippy in the first half
- Spin dominated middle overs (13 overs of spin from Zimbabwe gave just 102 runs)
- Dew helped batting under lights – chase became easier after 10 overs
- Average 1st innings score in this tournament at this venue: around 155-165
- Boundaries came mostly square and behind square
Playing XI
| Sri Lanka | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | Brian Bennett |
| Kusal Perera | Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk) |
| Kusal Mendis (wk) | Ryan Burl |
| Pavan Rathnayake | Sikandar Raza (c) |
| Kamindu Mendis | Tashinga Musekiwa |
| Dasun Shanaka (c) | Tony Munyonga |
| Dunith Wellalage | Dion Myers |
| Dushan Hemantha | Wellington Masakadza |
| Maheesh Theekshana | Brad Evans |
| Dilshan Madushanka | Graeme Cremer |
| Pramod Madushan | Blessing Muzarabani |
Sri Lanka missed Chameera’s pace. Zimbabwe went with four spinners – a smart move on this track.
Sri Lanka Innings: PowerPlay Fireworks, Middle-Overs Struggle & Rathnayake’s Heroics – Ball-by-Ball Recap
PowerPlay (Overs 1-6): 61/1
Over 1: Madushanka starts with a dot, then Nissanka punches two boundaries. 9 runs.
Over 2: Pramod Madushan leaks 12 – Perera goes aerial.
Over 3: Theekshana introduced early – Marumani hits two fours.
Over 4: Nissanka reaches 28 off 16. SL 38/0.
Over 5: Muzarabani strikes! Slower short ball, Perera caught at mid-on for 22. SL 54/1.
Over 6: Nissanka and Mendis take 7. PowerPlay ends 61/1.
Sri Lankan fans were roaring. Nissanka looked unstoppable.
Middle Overs (Overs 7-15): 62 runs, 3 wickets – Zimbabwe spin squeeze
Over 7: Raza bowls tight – 6 runs.
Over 8: Wellington Masakadza – 5 runs, dots galore.
Over 9: Wellalage removes Marumani? No, wait – this is SL batting. Zimbabwe spinners Cremer and Burl come on.
Over 10-11: Nissanka brings up 50 off 34 balls (7 fours). SL 86/1 at halfway.
Over 12: Burl strikes! Mendis stumped for 14 off 20. SL 100/2.
Over 13: Cremer gets Nissanka on reverse sweep for 62. SL 108/3.
Over 14: Kamindu Mendis pushes back to Cremer – caught and bowled. SL 123/4.
Over 15: Rathnayake and Shanaka steady at 122/3.
The crowd went quiet. Zimbabwe’s spin quartet (Raza, Masakadza, Cremer, Burl) tied SL in knots.
Death Overs (Overs 16-20): 56 runs, 3 wickets – Rathnayake explodes
Over 16: Muzarabani 7 runs.
Over 17: Raza goes for 15 – Rathnayake hits big six.
Over 18: Evans hit for 16 – Rathnayake’s second six.
Over 19: Muzarabani 14 runs.
Over 20: Wellalage smashes 15 off last over (3 fours). SL finish 178/7.
Sri Lanka Batting Scorecard
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | 62 | 41 | 8 | 0 | 151.22 |
| Kusal Perera | 22 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 157.14 |
| Kusal Mendis | 14 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 70.00 |
| Pavan Rathnayake | 44 | 25 | 3 | 2 | 176.00 |
| Kamindu Mendis | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 140.00 |
| Dasun Shanaka | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Dunith Wellalage | 15* | 8 | 3 | 0 | 187.50 |
| Extras | 8 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 178/7 | 20 | 19 | 2 | 8.90 |
Partnerships Table
1st: 54 (30 balls)
2nd: 46 (43)
3rd: 8 (9)
4th: 15 (10)
5th: 19 (11)
6th: 22 (10)
7th: 0 (1)
8th: 14 (6)
Sri Lanka got a fighting total, but it felt 10-15 short on this pitch.
Zimbabwe’s Spin Quartet That Stifled Sri Lanka – Bowling Analysis & Key Spells
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 38th Match Zimbabwe’s bowling was the real hero early on. They bowled 13 overs of spin in the first 14 overs – pure captaincy masterclass by Raza.
Bowling Figures Table
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Eco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sikandar Raza | 4 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 9.00 |
| Blessing Muzarabani | 4 | 0 | 38 | 2 | 9.50 |
| Wellington Masakadza | 3 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 7.67 |
| Brad Evans | 3 | 0 | 35 | 2 | 11.67 |
| Graeme Cremer | 4 | 0 | 27 | 2 | 6.75 |
| Ryan Burl | 2 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 8.00 |
Cremer’s leg-breaks turned sharply – 2/27 in 4 overs was gold. Muzarabani’s slower balls got key wickets. Raza controlled the middle and used himself smartly. Zimbabwe fans, celebrate this bowling unit – they made 178 look chaseable!
Zimbabwe Chase 179: Bennett’s Anchor, Raza’s Blitz & Heart-Stopping Finish – Every Ball Recapped
PowerPlay (Overs 1-6): 55/0 – Flying start
Over 1-3: Only 20 runs – pitch slow.
Over 4: Theekshana hit for 15 (two fours + six by Marumani).
Over 5-6: 55/0. Bennett and Marumani looked comfortable.
Middle Overs (Overs 7-12): Pressure builds
Over 7-8: Shanaka and Hemantha tight – 13 runs total.
Over 9: Wellalage strikes! Marumani c&b for 34. 69/1.
Over 10: Burl promoted, smashes 103m six off Wellalage.
Over 11: Burl 23 off 12.
Over 12: Shanaka short ball, Burl top-edges to Perera. 98/2. Needed 81 off 50.
The Raza Show (Overs 13-18) – Game flipped
At 98/2, Raza walks in. Asking rate 11+.
Over 13 (Hemantha): 6 (94m over deep midwicket), 6 straight, 4 through covers – 16 runs!
Over 14 (Theekshana): Straight six despite not full length.
Over 15-16: Bennett anchors, Raza rotates.
Over 17: Raza and Bennett add 14.
Over 18: Wellalage 6 singles – brilliant over. 13 needed off 12.
Final Overs – Pure Drama
Over 19 (Hemantha): Raza caught by Shanaka (25m sprint) for 45. Musekiwa out next ball (another Shanaka diving catch). 8 needed off 6.
Over 19.3: Munyonga slog-sweeps Theekshana for six! Bennett hits the winning runs.
Zimbabwe Batting Scorecard
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Bennett* | 63 | 48 | 8 | 0 | 131.25 |
| Tadiwanashe Marumani | 34 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 130.77 |
| Ryan Burl | 23 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 191.67 |
| Sikandar Raza | 45 | 26 | 2 | 4 | 173.08 |
| Tashinga Musekiwa | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Tony Munyonga* | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 266.67 |
| Extras | 8 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 182/4 | 19.3 | 17 | 7 | 9.33 |
Partnerships
1st: 69 (51)
2nd: 29 (19)
3rd: 69 (40)
4th: 2 (3)
5th: 13 (4)
Colombo went silent when Raza got out. Harare erupted when Munyonga hit that six. What a chase – Zimbabwe’s second-highest successful T20I chase ever!
10 Game-Changing Moments That Defined SL vs ZIM T20 World Cup 2026 Thriller
- Perera’s dismissal (5th over) – slowed SL momentum
- Nissanka’s 50 (11th over) – but SL still struggled later
- Burl’s 103m six (11th over) – kept chase alive
- Raza’s first six off Hemantha (13th over) – equation changed
- Raza’s second straight six (14th over) – SL bowlers broken
- Wellalage’s 18th over (6 singles) – brought back pressure
- Shanaka’s 25m sprint catch of Raza (19th over) – best fielding
- Shanaka’s diving catch of Musekiwa – incredible
- Munyonga’s square-leg six (19.3 over) – calmness under pressure
- Bennett hitting winning runs – third straight 50+ in tournament
Standout Performances, Stats Deep-Dive & Why Sikandar Raza Was Unstoppable
Player Ratings (out of 10)
- Raza: 9.5 – POTM, all-round brilliance
- Bennett: 9 – Anchor king
- Cremer: 8.5 – Spin wizard
- Nissanka: 8 – Classy 62
- Rathnayake: 8 – Late fireworks
- Shanaka (fielding): 9 – Two stunning catches
Key Records Broken
- Zimbabwe hit 7 sixes – highest in a T20 WC innings for them
- 2nd highest successful chase at RPS (behind Bangladesh 215 in 2018)
- Bennett: 3 consecutive 50+ in T20 WC 2026
- Raza: 17th 50+ score in T20Is for Zimbabwe (joint record)
Brian Bennett T20 WC 2026 Stats
48* vs Oman | 64* vs Australia | 63* vs Sri Lanka
Raza’s mindset after 8 balls (only 4 runs): “I can see the ball, I’m middling it.” Then he backed himself completely.
Tactical Masterclass: Raza’s Flexibility vs Shanaka’s Gamble – Lessons for Super Eights
Raza changed batting order four times during the chase – Burl promoted, Musekiwa shuffled. Pure flexibility. He used 13 overs of spin early and trusted his wrist-spinners.
Shanaka gambled by resting Chameera and relying on part-timers. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 38th Match The lack of early wickets in PowerPlay (only 4 in whole tournament) hurt them.
Dew played a big role – batting got easier under lights, exactly as Raza predicted. Both teams will take huge lessons into Super Eights.
Zimbabwe face West Indies, India and South Africa next. Sri Lanka will regroup with full-strength bowling.
History Made: Zimbabwe Unbeaten in Group Stage – What It Means for SL and ZIM Fans
Zimbabwe finished Group B unbeaten – only the 4th team to do so in this tournament. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 38th Match From missing 2024 WC to beating Australia and Sri Lanka in 2026 – what a journey!
Sri Lankan fans, this hurts, but Nissanka and Rathnayake showed fight. Your team is still in Super Eights – come back stronger.
Zimbabwe fans, dance in the streets! You have won hearts worldwide. Raza said: “Everybody loves an underdog story.” Yours is now legendary.
Thank you for reading this epic on IPL Star. Share your favourite moment in the comments below. Did Raza’s blitz give you goosebumps? Tell us!
Official ICC Match Page | Star Sports Highlights
Zimbabwe, you made history. Sri Lanka, see you in Super Eights. Cricket wins again!
FAQs: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 38th Match Group B ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
1. What was the final result of SL vs ZIM 38th Match T20 World Cup 2026? Zimbabwe stunned hosts Sri Lanka by 6 wickets with 3 balls to spare in the Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 38th Match, Group B, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at R. Premadasa Stadium. SL posted 178/7; ZIM chased 179, finishing 182/4 in 19.3 overs. This remains one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
2. Who was Player of the Match in SL vs ZIM T20 World Cup 2026 and why? Sikandar Raza was awarded Player of the Match for his explosive 45 off 26 balls (2 fours, 4 sixes) that turned the chase. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 38th Match His 94m six off Hemantha and captaincy that used 13 overs of spin early dismantled Sri Lanka’s momentum.
3. How did Brian Bennett perform in the SL vs ZIM 38th Match Colombo 2026? Brian Bennett remained unbeaten on 63 off 48 balls (8 fours) – his third successive 50+ score in T20 World Cup 2026 (48* vs Oman, 64* vs Australia, 63* vs SL). Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 38th Match He anchored the chase perfectly while Raza attacked.
4. What made R. Premadasa pitch behave the way it did in SL vs ZIM T20 WC 2026? The R Premadasa pitch report T20 WC 2026 showed a slow, grippy surface early that favoured spinners in the middle overs. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 38th Match Dew under lights made batting easier in the second innings, exactly as Raza had predicted at the toss.
5. Why is Zimbabwe’s win over Sri Lanka called a historic underdog story in 2026 T20 World Cup? Zimbabwe remained unbeaten in the entire Group B stage after beating co-hosts Sri Lanka at their fortress. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 38th Match From missing the 2024 T20 World Cup to stunning Australia and now SL, this SL vs ZIM T20 World Cup 2026 recap is pure fairy-tale stuff.
6. How many sixes did Zimbabwe hit in their chase against Sri Lanka at Colombo 2026? Zimbabwe smashed a tournament-record 7 sixes in their innings – their highest in any T20 World Cup match. Raza hit 4, Marumani 1, Burl 1 and Munyonga 1 in the thrilling SL vs ZIM 38th Match.
7. What tactical masterclass did Sikandar Raza show in SL vs ZIM T20 World Cup 2026? Raza changed Zimbabwe’s batting order four times during the chase, promoted Ryan Burl, and bowled 13 overs of spin in the first 14 overs. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 38th Match His “toss doesn’t matter if we play good cricket” mindset defined the Sikandar Raza heroics Colombo.
8. How did Pathum Nissanka and Pavan Rathnayake perform for Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 2026? Nissanka scored a fluent 62 off 41 while Rathnayake blasted 44 off 25 (including both of SL’s sixes) in the death overs. Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 38th Match Despite their efforts, SL fell 10-15 runs short on the slow Premadasa track.
9. What records did Zimbabwe break in the 38th Match against Sri Lanka T20 World Cup 2026? Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe 38th Match This became Zimbabwe’s 2nd-highest successful T20I chase ever (behind 199 vs Namibia), the 2nd-highest successful chase at RPS (behind Bangladesh 215 in 2018), and they hit their most sixes (7) in a T20 World Cup innings.
10. What does Zimbabwe’s unbeaten group stage mean for Super Eights 2026? Zimbabwe topped Group B unbeaten and now face West Indies, India and South Africa in Super Eights. This SL vs ZIM T20 World Cup 2026 result has turned them into genuine dark horses for the title.